Headline News
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UNDERGOING testing on the Severn Valley Railway, BR Standard Class 7 Pacific No. 70000 Britannia found itself at the centre of FA Cup fever when it was parked next door to Kidderminster Harriers’Aggborough stadium on the morning of the fourth round home clash with premiership outfit West Ham United.
BBC Match of the Day presenter Mark Chapman visited Kidderminster station on Saturday, February 5, where Britannia was on hand to welcome him.
Footplate first-timer
He took the opportunity for a ride on the footplate as Britannia set back out of the station with seven Mk.1 carriages.
It was his first time on a footplate and afterwards he commented that he enjoyed it, especially blowing the whistle, saying: “It was hard work!” He said watching the footplate crews had made him realise how hard they have to work.
Mark talked about his visit when interviewed on the platform before the match by SVR’s head of marketing and communications, Lesley Carr. He told her: “This is the beauty of working on the FA Cup – having a ride on a steam loco before the match. Thanks guys for the ride, and at risk of upsetting the West Ham fans, good luck Kidderminster.”
When the live BBC1 broadcast began at noon, the opening sequences included drone views from above that were all shot around the SVR station. Mark was a last-minute replacement for former England goal ace and fellow presenter Gary Linker, who tested positive for Covid-19 after feeling unwell while flying back from Cape Town two days earlier.
The game, watched by millions of TV viewers, saw the Harriers – third in the National League North and six tiers and 113 places below West Ham, and beaten by championship side Reading 2-1 in round three on January 8 – deservedly take the lead against their much-higher opponents through Alex Penny after 20 minutes. They were considered to be the better side for long periods, in windy conditions and on a bouncy pitch.
The SVR took the opportunity to offer local supporters and families a place to watch the game.
Large, specially-erected screens were mounted in the station concourse, and the King and Castle pub become a fan zone. An inflatable penalty shoot-out game and football tables enhanced the fans’ enjoyment.
As soon as the 350 free tickets were advertised on social media, they were immediately snapped up on a first-come first-served basis. Doors opened at 10.30am in preparation for the kick-off at 12.30pm.
The bar and cafeteria were open too, selling food and drink and showcasing a new menu featuring loaded fries, waffles, roast pork, and pies. The shop and sweet stall was also open.
Tense game
Back to the match, and West Ham were 1-0 down and seconds away for a humiliating defeat until substitute Declan Rice rescued them with a brilliant 91st-minute equaliser that broke the hearts of not only the Aggborough fans but also the TV audience who got behind the Harriers, longing to see an historic giant-killing feat.
The game went into extra time, again with Kidderminster holding their own against all pre-match odds, and was heading for a penalty shoot-out.
However, fate played another of the cruellest blows possible when Hammers’ Jarrod Bowen scored in the first minute of extra time stoppage, to give them a 2-1 victory they hardly merited, if at all.
Nonetheless, it was a game that will surely be talked about for years to come – along with those SVR opening sequences.